Peter the Mouse Hunter

This is our cat, Peter. He has been part of our family for about 9 1/2 years now. When Scott and I first got married somebody found him in the woods as a kitten and brought him over to Scott's sister's house. Scott's sister wanted to keep him and name him Jasper, but her husband wouldn't let her. They already had 3 dogs, 2 cats and probably 4 horses. He was so small and sweet that I decided we should keep him. He has been a pretty good cat. He doesn't make a lot of noise and pretty much keeps to himself. He's good with the kids and always uses his litter box. The one problem with Peter is that he never catches mice! Or, I should say he never caught a mouse before Sunday!

Sunday night we were sitting at the table eating dinner. I heard a loud noise from by the kitchen sink, and it was Peter with his claws in the vent under the cabinets. I told Scott that Peter must have caught a mouse, but I was joking since Peter hadn't caught a mouse in 9 1/2 years. A few minutes later Scott said, "Yes! He did catch a mouse!" Peter was walking through the kitchen with a huge mouse in his mouth! YUCK...I don't like mice. Probably because my mom was always screeching at the sight of them so I developed a phobia too. I promptly stuck my feet in the air and wouldn't move. Scott tried to find something to put the mouse in, but I wasn't helping. Scott told Peter to kill the mouse, but he didn't. He let the mouse go!!! After that Scott was harassing Peter about not being able to kill a mouse. So Peter decided to finish the job and show Scott who could kill a mouse. The next morning I found a dead mouse in the middle of the floor. At least I noticed it before I stepped on it! I don't know if Peter killed it, or if it died from being clutched between Peter's jaws the night before, but it was dead.

So Peter is finally earning his keep. Let's just hope he keeps it up!

New Things

Owen is so excited! We decided to move him out of his high chair and into a booster seat since Holly will be needing the high chair in a few months. We didn't want to just kick Owen out of the high chair and put Holly in it right away because it might cause some jealousy in Owen. So last Saturday Owen and I went to Walmart to find a booster seat. We bought the cheapest one there was and stuck it on a chair. Owen has been loving it. He can climb in and out of it by himself, so we always know when he is hungry! It seems like just yesterday when we were putting the high chair together for him though.


Holly got a new lovey for Christmas from her Uncle John, and she loves it! It's so soft and pink. She always grabs onto it and won't let it go. She's so sweet...I can't believe I ever thought having a girl would be such a bad thing.

Christmas Celebrations!

We hope everybody out there had a Very Merry Christmas! Christmas around here was pretty crazy, but a lot of fun too. We got to see family that we usually only see a few times a year, we got to eat lots of food and open lots of presents. Most importantly though we got to read about the birth of Jesus in the bible and remember what Christmas is all about. I took 117 pictures over 2 days, and it was hard to pick which ones to post. I didn't feel like posting all 117 though, so if you want to see some more you'll have to go to my picture website at brisheaf.shutterfly.com. There is some extra pictures there.

On Christmas Eve Scott's sister Tracey always has a party at her house. We play games, eat lots of food and open presents from Scott's sister and his mom. Here is me and my two kids at her house...Owen has already started in on the food! Tracey got a Wii a few months ago, so we played that this year. I tried out bowling and boxing. I don't think anybody needs to buy a Wii Fit. Just play the boxing game. Tracey and I were wiped out after going two rounds of the boxing game. I totally knocked her out though...Woo Hoo!

Here is Scott helping Holly open one of her first gifts. She got lot of new toys and clothes.

Here is my favorite present of the year! Who could ask for anything better? I did also get 5 new ornaments at the Christmas Eve party. I was very excited. We are definitely going to need a bigger tree next year though.

Back at home we were visited by Santa Claus! Here is Holly on Christmas morning. I tried to get Owen in the picture, but he wouldn't cooperate. We ended up reading from the Bible on Christmas morning since we got home so late on Christmas Eve. It was nice to read the story of Jesus's birth before opening presents. It probably would have been nicer if Owen would have sat still and Holly wouldn't have been crying, but I guess we can't expect too much just yet.

I like this picture of Owen standing with his fingers in his mouth and Holly's little head poking out over his shoulder!

Holly got a bunch of new toys and clothes for Christmas. She didn't seem too impressed. Owen actually seemed more impressed by the toys Holly got than by his own new toys. We are going to put her toys away until she can actually play with them, and before Owen destroys them!

Owen got all toys, except for some shirts from Grandma and Grandpa Owens. When he opened the clothes he just kind of tossed them to the side, it was pretty funny! It was fun watching him open his presents this year though. Last year he didn't really get it yet. He got his first Big Wheel, which Scott got to spend hours trying to put together. Unfortunately his feet don't quite reach the peddles when they are pushed all the way out. I guess he will have to grow a few more inches...oh well, it's cold outside anyways.

Here is Scott with his new Popcorn Popper from Owen. A few weeks ago Scott was chasing Owen through the house. Owen had Scott's previous Popcorn Popper in his hands and Scott was trying to get it away from him. Owen decided to let the evidence go and he chucked the popcorn popper to the side. The Popcorn Popper broke. So Owen got him a new one for Christmas! Scott also got some new socks, slipper, a few games and an Ipod...just what he wanted.

Here is me with my new camera. Our old camera has taken quite a beating from Owen, so it was time to get a new one. So Merry Christmas to me! Owen got us a picture of himself in a frame he made at daycare. It was very sweet!

We had two very sleepy kids after all the present opening.

Owen is so snuggley!

My parents got Holly a bunch of new clothes for Christmas. Here she is in the little Christmas dress they got for her. This dress would only look cute on a little girl...I don't think I could pull it off! Holly looks so cute in it though! Apparently there is more clothes waiting for Holly in Utah too. I never knew it could be so fun dressing a girl!

During the afternoon on Christmas we always head over to Scott's other sister's house. Scott's brother also comes over and we exchange gifts there. We were mobbed with presents for the kids at their house, it was pretty crazy. But Owen and Holly are the first kids in the family in about 20 years! Here is Holly with her cousin Erin. Erin is 23, she has a brother named Sean who is 21. Sean was the last baby born in the family until Owen. So I guess everybody was excited about having kids to buy for again because they went nuts buying toys and clothes.

So there you have it...our crazy but fun Christmas. Obviously you can tell from the picture I ate way too many cookies this year, but they were good cookies! Usually I am sad when Christmas is over, but not this year. It was great to celebrate it with my two kids, kids make Christmas more fun and satisfying again. Now I just have to figure out what I am going to do with the mountain of toys they got!!!

Christmas Morning

It's 8:11 on Christmas Morning. Santa has left a pile of presents under the tree. Owen is still in bed. I wonder how many more years I have of being able to sleep in on Christmas morning (8:11 is sleeping in for me).

Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

New Pictures for My Dad

My dad was wondering when I was going to post some new pictures. So here are some new pictures...and Merry Christmas Everybody!!!

Snow Take 2...After 3 day of snowing Owen finally decided the snow wasn't too bad. Scott went outside to shovel, and Owen was crying to follow him out. He was in his pajamas already, but I figured once he got out there he wouldn't like the snow and want to come in. So I just put on his coat and boots. Surprise, surprise though...he liked the snow this time!

So the horrible mother that I am, I let him play outside in the snow in his pajamas!!! He was outside for about 30 minutes and covered in snow. I was worried he would be freezing, but when I took his PJs off they weren't wet inside, and his little legs weren't cold...so I didn't feel too bad.

Owen is such a happy kid...he's got a cute smile too!

What do you think...is Holly catching up to Owen's size? Not quite yet...

Owen tried to kiss Holly again...I love the look on her face as she looks at him!

Holly and the Christmas Tree.

The Ward Christmas Party

Tonight was our ward's annual Christmas party. We weren't sure if they were going to have it because it never really stopped snowing after it started yesterday. Today was mainly just light flurries, but the plows couldn't keep up with them. The roads were still a bit slippery. We made it though.

The party was fun as always. Lots of food and some entertainment. The best part is just socializing with the ward members though. That was hard to do this year because I was mainly trying to keep Owen under control. That kid just wants to run around and get into everything! At least he ate though, I was happy about that. He didn't just eat cookies either...he got some veggies in him! My Christmas wish came true!!!

Owen also got to sit on Santa's lap. He didn't seem too interest in Santa though. He was more interested in the lady that was handing out presents! He got a coloring book and some crayons. Holly didn't sit on Santa's lap this year. She was all bundled up and sleeping through the whole party. I didn't want to wake her up just to sit on Santa's lap because I knew she would want to eat as soon as she woke up. So I just took a picture of her sleeping peacefully. I'm sure she'll get to see Santa next year.

Miscellaneous Pictures from the Week

I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday and she was wondering why my dad had pictures of the kids that weren't on my blog. So I reminded her that I have another web site that I just post pictures on, and I've been doing so since shortly after Owen was born. I didn't have a blog back then, and it was a great way for friends and relatives to see new pictures of Owen without having to send out e-mails. That website is HERE. But, I thought I would post a few of the miscellaneous pictures from this week that didn't require a whole post.

We caught Owen lounging in his old bouncer chair a week ago...Holly has been using it lately. He's a little big for it now!!!

Here is Holly STRETCHING away! She loves to just sit and stretch, she always starts to smile when she does it....so cute!

Owen decided to take his shirt off the other day...this is as far as he got. Silly boy. I guess we will have to work on that skill. Of course I don't want him to be one of those kids who like to run around naked, so maybe we won't work on it...

I caught Owen giving his Tickle me Elmo a kiss! Scott and I were just talking about how sweet Owen can be. Holly was slumping over in her swing, and Owen went over to straighten her up. Scott said that Owen was trying to share his breakfast with Scott this morning (of course that could be because he didn't want to eat it!) And last night I was laying on the floor with my head propped up in my hand, and Owen brought me over a pillow. He's very sweet and helpful.

I just thought this was a funny picture of Owen. He was watching "Little Einsteins" and swinging his body back and forth on the couch because he noticed me trying to take a picture. This is what I got!

These are my favorite pajama's on Holly because of the little bunny feet! They remind me of the PJ's Ralphy got on "A Christmas Story" with the bunny feet! I love when Holly is laying on the floor, and her little feet are moving all around and the Bunny's look like they are hopping all over the place!

Well, that's all the miscellaneous picture for this week! Check back soon and there may be more.

Snow Day

You may have heard on the news that we were getting our first major snowstorm of the season today. I was so excited. This is the first year Owen could really get out and play in the snow. The first year he was just a newborn, and last year he couldn't really walk too well yet. I didn't think it would be a good idea to let him crawl around in the snow! So I've been waiting for today, the day I could let Owen loose in the snow to have a blast! I bought him a snowsuit and some nice snowboots.

So the snow finally showed up around 1:00, his naptime. When he finally woke up I was talking to my dad on the phone. So it wasn't until around 5:00 when we finally got him bundled up and outside, and a lot of snow had fallen by then. The image I had of him running around and throwing snow around didn't happen though. I think there was just too much snow....

So standing in the snow wasn't too much fun for him as you can see! So I decided to pull out the snow shovel. He loves anything with a stick on it, so I figured I would put him to work. There was just too much snow though. We decided to call it a night and leave the shoveling for dad.

I also pulled out the little bear coat Owen use to wear to try it on Holly. It's a size 3-6 month, so it's still a little big on her, but she's the cutest little Holly Bear I've ever seen.

Owen was a cute little bear too....2 years ago.

Birthday Party

Last night we had Owen's small little birthday party. The only people in attendance were Scott, Holly and me...but we still had fun!

First we ate Owen's favorite food...PIZZA! I think if you are a kid in America your favorite food is probably pizza. Owen usually has to pick all the toppings off of his pizza because he doesn't seem to like meat for some reason. But since it was his birthday I got him cheese pizza...what a treat!

I have a video of us singing Happy Birthday to Owen...well, actually it's of me singing Happy Birthday to Owen. I started recording, and when Scott noticed I was recording he stopped singing. Scott is such a party pooper! Oh well, I guess every party has a pooper, and that's why we invited Scott!

Besides the photo book we got for Owen, we also got him this inflatable Rocket chair, "Little Einstein" style. Now we just have to find some way to inflate it. There is no way I'm going to be blowing it up myself!

They party ended around 7:00 when I had to head off for my book club's Christmas party! Scott thought I was a horrible mother...but I figured the party was winding down, and Owen wouldn't care anyway. He was having too much fun eating way more junk food then he should have. It showed on the scale too. We went in for his 2 year appointment with the pediatrician today. He has gained almost 2 lbs in the last four months! He is now up to 28 lbs. Of course a year ago he was 24 lbs, so I guess 4 lbs in a year isn't too bad.

Happy Birthday Owen!

My baby boy is 2 years old today! I can't believe how fast the last two years have gone by. He decided to celebrate entering the terrible two's by throwing his first terrible two tantrum as soon as he woke up this morning! He wanted to play in my room, and I wanted him to come downstairs for breakfast...hence the tantrum. Fun Fun!!!

Then I tried to get a nice picture of him for the slide show I was putting together...one picture of him from each month he's been alive so far. It sure is hard to get a good picture of him these days! He won't sit still for pictures...and when I tell him to smile he always makes the goofiest faces! The only time I can get a picture of him not running or making silly faces is when he is watching "Little Einsteins" and he's always got his fingers in his mouth then. I guess I will just enjoy taking pictures of Holly...

Owen got to take cupcakes to preschool today to share with his classmates. His teachers said the kids usually just lick the frosting off the cupcake and toss the cake. I guess I should have just brought a bowl of frosting and some spoons! Tonight we are just having a small family party with pizza and cake. We had a big party last year, but I figured he doesn't care too much so why worry about it this year?

Birthday Cakes from WiddlyTinks.com

She Survived

Holly went in to get her 1st set of shots today...Boooooo!!!! I hate shots. I think the kids hate shots too. But, I guess they are a necessary evil. Holly screamed. It broke my heart. Then she fell into a deep sleep, and she seems fine now. Thank goodness that is over, for another 2 months at least.

Holly is now up to 11 lbs and 2 oz. Owen weighed 12 lbs at his 1 month appointment, and 15 lbs at his 2 month appointment! So Holly has some growing to do if she wants to catch up to her brother. She had to be measured twice because the first nurse only showed her growing 1/4 inch in a month. So she was remeasured at 22 1/8 inches. The doctor was more happy with that number. Both height and weight were around the 55th percentile. This gives me hope that she will fit into her blessing dress in another month!

Blog Award

I have won my first ever blog award! Thank you Jenn for thinking my blog is fabulous. I think your blog is pretty fabulous too.

There are some requirements that come from winning this award though. First I have to list 5 of my fabulous addictions:

1. My children

2. Watching TV...I don't think it's fabulous, but it's truthful

3. Reading

4. Cross Stitching

5. Running...haha, just kidding...Cookies and Milk is more truthful!

Secondly - I must pass this award on to 5 other fabulous blogs (in alphabetical order):

Bubbi, Lou Lou and Baby too!

Chappell Family

Designz by DeDe

Families Are Forever

Three Boys and a Mom...

Thirdly - I must post the rules: The rules of this award are:

1. You have to pass it on to 5 other fabulous blogs in a post.

2. You have to list 5 of your fabulous addictions in the post.

3. You must copy and paste the rules and the instructions below in the post.Instructions: On your post of receiving this award, make sure you include the person that gave you the award and link it back to them. When you post your five winners, make sure you link them as well. To add the award to your post, simply right-click, save image, then "add image" it in your post as a picture so your winners can save it as well. To add it to your sidebar, add the "picture" gadget. Also, don't forget to let your winners know they won an award from you by emailing them or leaving a comment on their blog.

Splish Splash!

This is one of my favorite pictures of Owen. It was taken during his first real bath...after his umbilical cord fell off. He didn't like his first bath...he screamed through most of it. In this picture he just has a look on his face like, "What the heck are these people doing to me now?!?!"

Holly has never had that look on her face during a bath. She has always loved sitting in warm water...I think she would sit there all day if I didn't have anything better to do.

I took these pictures last night, and she was just smiling away, enjoying her bath. It's such a fun time to spend with her. She has been a bit on the cranky side at night time lately, but not during bath time!

Thankfully Owen has grown to love bath time a little bit more. Now if only I could keep him clean from his bath on Saturday night until we got to church on Sunday morning. He took his bath last night, and then dumped milk from his cereal on his head this morning. Sunday mornings are always so fun! Getting two kids ready for church seems 4 times as hard as getting 1 ready for church....that could be because one is a toddler though. Some Sunday mornings I wake up and think I must be crazy for dragging two kids to church again. I always seriously contemplate just not going that week...but I get up and go anyways, I know it's where the kids and I need to be on Sundays. Thankfully there are always people at church who notice me juggling two kids, a diaper bag, and other items used in my calling, and they offer to help. Thankfully Owen happily goes to nursery now too! But I guess I'm getting a bit off topic now.

YAY for Bath Time!

New Hat

It didn't take Owen too long to find a new hat after we took away his rice-maker hat. Last night at dinner time he dumped all the food out of his bowl and stuck it on his head. I guess I should just be grateful that he dumped the food out before he put the bowl on his head! We are going to have some great blackmail photos of Owen when he gets older!!!

Ornaments

Since I love Christmas Ornaments so much I decided to post 12 of my favorite ornaments on my tree. I was going to do a whole countdown to Christmas with an ornament each day, but then I would have to wait until Saturday. I don't have much patience though...when I get an idea in my head I just want to do it! So here is all 12...they aren't in a particular order, I would have a hard time picking my very favorite!

A coworker gave me this cute little snowman a few years ago.

Another coworker gave me this snowflake. She is from Cape Cod, and it is made out of sand from Cape Cod! I ended up getting her a "snowball" made out of salt from The Great Salt Lake.

My brother Marc got me a bunch of ornaments for Christmas one year. Here is Rudolph and Clarice from "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer". I also have Hermey, Yukon Cornelius and Abominable Snowman.

This is another ornament from my brother Marc. It's a little TV with Rudolph and Clarice on the screen. If you use little lights, like most people do, there is a spot in the bottom to stick two lights in to light up the tree!

My sister-in-law Tracey got me this glass ornament, with Glinda the Good Witch in it, the year we went to see "Wicked".

This is the ornament I got at an ornament exchange party I went to last week. I had to steal it from somebody though.

This was the first ornament I stole from somebody at the ornament exchange last week...but then somebody stole it from me...which is when I ended up stealing the snowman from somebody else. (Don't worry, all this stealing is legal, it's all part of the game). I found out where this ornament had been purchased...so last week when Holly and I were out Christmas shopping we stopped and got one for our tree! The snowman and reindeer just looked like they went together.

This was the first ornament Owen received. I wonder if we can find one that says Holly.

This is one of my first Christmas ornaments...it has a wedding picture of Scott and me in it.

I got this ornament last year at Kiddie Kandid's with Owen's cute little face on it. I ordered one with Holly on it for this year.

A few years ago my visiting teacher gave me a gift, and this ornament was tied to the bow. I love how it's so simple, but beautiful at the same time.

My brother Marc gave me this ornament...he knows where to find the good ones I guess. It is of the SLC Temple.

So there you have it...I have a lot more ornaments on my tree, but I'm sure nobody wants to see them all. If you do want to see them all, come on over! The tree will probably be up until the middle of January when I finally get around to taking it down.